Built in 1896, this 25 foot by 85 foot building was constructed
of Sioux quartzite by Leon H. Moore, a local businessman who owned
and operated a Sioux quartzite quarry. One of the more distinctive
features of this building are the gargoyles that embellish the north
and west facades. Leon Moore was an amateur sculptor who created
the building's gargoyles and other sculptures, including the relief
of Moses on the front facade. One of Moore's masterpieces, it has
the face of Moses surrounded by bulrushes, two female faces, and
the baby in the basket. Another biblical sculpture which adorns
the building is of Eve with a serpent and apples surrounding her
head. The flat stone arches of the two windows facing Main Street
have sculpted heads as their keystones. Legend has it, although
unconfirmed, that Moore had sculpted a statue of a nude woman, rumored
to be Eve, and placed it in the niche on the front facade of the
building. Apparently the townspeople were outraged by this act and
forced the removal of the statue, which was never seen again.

Gargoyles depicting Eve and Moses Courtesy of Lorraine Draper

The first floor front facade was modernized in 1938 with black
glass and aluminum trim. Sometime later, two oriel windows on the
west side of the second story were removed. The first floor housed
many businesses, including a shoe store, which occupied the space
for 72 years. In the early years, the second floor was home to doctors
and lawyers and later became apartments. The basement, with its
entrance on the west facade, housed several small businesses. The
upper floors of the building are now vacant.

The Moore Block is located at 102 E. Main St., Pipestone and
is currently a used furniture store, although it is not open to
the public.